Railroad union, wage and collective bargaining breakdown... December general strike notice

Request for improvement of promotion system and recruitment of safety personnel

(Daejeon = Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Jun-ho = The National Railroad Workers' Union announced a general strike in December due to the breakdown of wage and collective bargaining.

According to the railroad union on the 5th, as a result of the industrial action vote held from the 2nd, 21,634 people participated (24,691 registered union members, voter turnout 87.6%), and 16,783 people were in favor (77.58%, 67.97% compared to registered members).

The railroad union held its third main negotiation on October 14th, but due to the breakdown of negotiations, it was decided to 'start a dispute' at an extraordinary delegates' meeting held on the 15th of the same month.

Industrial action voting is a procedure in which union members directly decide whether to enter into industrial action.

A majority of registered union members must agree to pass the bill, and abstentions are considered negative votes.

The railroad union is demanding improvement in the promotion system and expansion of safety personnel.

A union official pointed out, “Currently, promotions are being made unfairly, excluding the field,” adding, “On-site union members are being pushed out of promotions, and promotion opportunities are being concentrated on the head office and managers.”

He added, "We acknowledge that the shortage of safety personnel at railway sites is already at a serious level and that construction also needs to be supplemented. However, the problem is not being solved due to the government's control over personnel."

As the industrial action has been approved, the union plans to require all union members to wear struggle vests and lanterns, fight for safe driving, and refuse to work on holidays.

If there is no progress in negotiations, we plan to launch an all-out struggle, including a general strike in December.